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Politics
May 10, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Starmer Enlists Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman Amid Post‑Election Turmoil

AI Summary
Keir Starmer has appointed former prime minister Gordon Brown and veteran MP Harriet Harman as unpaid advisers to stem growing calls for his resignation after Labour’s crushing local election losses. The moves aim to showcase senior support while the party grapples with a leadership crisis and steep electoral setbacks.

The Lead: Starmer’s Emergency Advisory Team

Keir Starmer has appointed former prime minister Gordon Brown and veteran MP Harriet Harman as unpaid advisers in a bid to defuse mounting calls for his resignation after Labour’s disastrous local election results.

Strategic Roles for Brown and Harman

Brown will serve as Starmer’s envoy on global finance, tasked with shaping financial partnerships that could underpin defence‑related investments, especially with European allies. Harman will focus on women and girls, targeting violence prevention and economic opportunities.

Election Fallout Numbers

  • Labour lost over 1,400 councillors across England.
  • In Wales, the party fell to nine Senedd seats, overtaken by Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.
  • Labour also ceded ground in the Scottish Parliament, with significant seat losses.

Implications for Labour’s Leadership Crisis

The appointments are largely symbolic, but they signal Starmer’s attempt to rally senior party figures and project stability. Critics within the party, including MPs Clive Betts and Debbie Abrahams, continue to demand a clear timetable for a leadership transition.

What Comes Next for Starmer and the Party

Analysts warn that without a decisive plan, Labour risks further erosion ahead of the next general election. The coming months will likely see intensified pressure from both reformist factions and the party’s traditional base, testing whether the advisory team can translate symbolism into tangible political support.